Pneumatic cotton-picker.



nasnmus. ENEUMATIC COTTON PICKER- APPLICATION FILED APR-1]. I914.

Patented June 27, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

T. E. STRAUS- PNEUMATIC COTTON PI CKER. APPLICATION FlLED APR- 17 1914. I 1,1 ?0. Patented June 27, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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cotton fiber and away THEODORE E. STRAUS, or BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, 'As'smiion 'ro won'rnmo'ron or DELAWARE.

PNEUMATIC corron-rrcxna. i

Specification 02 Letters Patent;

Patented June27 1916.

Application flied April 17, 1914. Seria1NoQ6 32,589.

To all'whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, THEODORE E. STRAUS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in' Pneumatic Cotton-Pickers, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the figures of reference marked thereon.

The invention relatesato newa and useful improvements in pneumatic cotton pickers, and more particularly to cotton pickers wherein the nozzle is provided with rotating means to assist in disengaging the cotton fiber from the boll.

An object of the invention is to provide a pneumatic cotton picking nozzle, which is formed with an inner and an outer section adapted to be rotated relative to each other, whereby the'cotton fiber is engaged and held from outward movement by the inner. section and twisted from the cotton boll which is held from movement relative to the cotton fiber by the outer section.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cottonpicker of the abovetype, with devices which not only hold the boll from rotating relativeto the cotton fiber as it is stripped therefrom, but which also positively moves'the boll outward away from the from the maximum point of suction, so as to facilitate the releasing of the boll from the cotton and to prevent the boll from being drawn into the suction nozzle. V

A still further object of the invention is to provide a cotton picking. nozzle of the above type, wherein the inner and outer sections are so constructed and arranged relative to each other as to permit air toenter the nozzle between the sections, so that the amount of air passing through the outer section and forcing the cotton fiber into the inner nozzle is slightly less than the amount of air which finally conveys the cotton through the inner nozzle section. 7

These and other 0 jects will in part be ob-. vious and will in part be hereinafter more fully disclosed.

In the drawings-Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view, showing a picking nozzle having my improvement applied thereto; Fig. 2 is an end view of the same; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the outer section of the nozzle; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1,

. preferably in the shape of .tion is rotated relative to showing a modified form of the invention, wherein the outer section rotates; and Fig. 5 is a view similar. to Fig. 4, showing a still further modified form of the invention, wherein'both the inner and outer sections are rotated in opposite directions.

The invention consists generally in pro-.

viding a picking nozzle which is formed with a tubular shank connected by suitable means to a source of suction. At the outer end of this tubular shank is a supporting frame on which is mounted the inner section of the nozzle. This inner section. of the nozzle is preferably bell-shaped and is provided with means for engaging the cotton fiber and holding the same from outward movement relative thereto. supporting frame'is the outer section of the nozzle. This outer section of the nozzle is an annulus, which is concavo-convex in cross .section. This outer section is located adjacent the extreme outer edge of the bell of the inner section and is so disposed relative thereto as to receive-the edge of the bell. It is, however, spaced fromsaid bell so as to permit the air to pass underneath the same. The inner and outer sections are rotated relative to tions rotate in opposite directions. The

outer section. is provided with outwardly projecting members or -w1ngs which extend inwardly toward the center of the nozzle to restrict somewhat the passage through the outer section. These members or wings are also inclined so that when the boll is rotated relative to this outer section or the outer secthe boll, said boll will be forced upward by these projections or members to aid in stripping the cotton fiber therefrom.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, my improved cotton picking of a supporting shank 1, which is connected by the usual flexible pipe to a source of suction. This shank 1 carries a picking nozzle, which, as shown in Fig. 1, consists ofa supporting frame 2, threaded on to said shank and locked thereon by a collar 3. This supporting frame is in the form of a housing. The picking nozzle is formed with two sections, an inner section 4 and an outer sectio'ii'b. This inner section f is threaded on are rotated said secnozzle consists- Also mounted on the each other. Either the' inner section may to a rotating support 6. The rotating support 6 has'an inner sleeve 7, which is in line with the shank'Land placed end to end withthe shank. A disk 8 extends outwardly from this sleeve and it is formed with a flange 9, which at its inner end has a bearing 10 on the supporting frame 2; The fienge at its outer end has a bearifig 11 on said frame. These bearings may be of any desired construction. The. inner section 4 of the nozzle is bell-shaped and said bellshaped nozzle, between the outer edge 12 of the bell and the inner threaded part 13 thereof, is formed with inwardly projecting teeth or fingers 14. As herein shown, these fingers are struck up from the metal forming this section of the nozzle. It will be obvious that these fingers or teeth may be otherwise formed. It is essential, however, that these fingers or teeth shall not only project inwardly toward the center line of I the nozzle, but said teeth or fingers should also project slightly in the direction of thesuction, so that the cotton fiber engaged by these fingers or teeth will be held from outward movement relative to the nozzle and may readily move linwardly into the shank of the nozzle and the conveyer pipe through the action of the suction on the cotton fiber.

A. shaft 15 is journaled in .a suitable hearing 16 in the supporting frame 2, and this shaft carries a gear 17, which meshes with a gear 18 attached to the sleeve on the rotating support 6. The shaft 15 is adapted to be connected to a flexible shaft which is rotated by any 'suitable means.

The outer section 5 of the nozzle is in the shape-of an annulus w'hich'is concavo-convex in transverse section, This outer section 5 is mountedon three rods 19. The rods extend outwardly and backwardly and are clamped. to the supporting frame 2. Each rod is formed with two slots 20 and screws 21 passing through the slots hold the rods so that they may be adjusted on the nozzle. The outer section 5 is provided, as-

. herein shown, with four outwardly pro jecting members or wings 22. These wings are preferably formed integral with-the outer member and the outer edges 23 are rounded, as shown in the drawings. The part 24 of each wing extends inwardly slightly ox'er the central opening 25 through the inner section of the nozzle. These wings are also inclined to the outer section and each wing is inclined in the same manner.

That is to say, these wings are inclined to a plane at right angles to the axis of rotation of the nozzle section. The edges of the wings are rounded for the purpose of preventing the cotton fiber from being caught and locked thereby. The wings project inwardly over the opening 25, so as to restrict this opening to a certain extent andthus prevent the bolls from being drawn through the cotton fiber from the boll.

areavoo the opening. The wings are inclined, as

shown in the drawings, for the purpose of moving the boll I outward aWay from the concave face of the outer section receives the outer edge 12 of the bell of the inner section of the nozzle. The outer section, however,'is

.spaced from the edge 12 0f the bell sons to. permit air to enter'lthe nozzle. between the sections, This space 'niay-be adjusted by.

' loosening the screws 21 and shifting the position of the supporting rods 19 relative to the frame 2. In the operation of the device, as above described, the nozzle is placed under suction in the usual-manner and. the shaft, 15 is rotated. The rotation of the shaft 15" will rotate the inner section of the'nozzle on the supporting frame, the outer section 5 being held stationary with the frame. When the nozzle is presented to the cotton boll, the cotton fiber will be drawn by 'suction through the opening 25 and will be caught by the teeth or fingers 14: on the inner section of the nozzle, and as this section rotates the cotton fiber will be rotated and twisted out of the boll. The wings 22 en gaging the boll hold the boll from rotation during this twisting action of the inner section of the nozzle on the cotton fiber. If the boll does rotate on this outer stationary section, the parts will bemoved up the inclined wings,'which movement of the boll away from the nozzle assists in stripping Furthermore, this outward movement'of the parts of the boll away from the inner nozzle, also moves the boll away from the 'point of maximum suction, so that when the fiber ice is finally stripped from-the boll, the parts of the boll are so located that they will not be drawn into the nozzle. Furthermore, if

the rotation of the inner nozzle should cause the boll to spin on the outer section, these wings will serve to throw the parts of the boll away from the nozzle. From the above statement, it will be apparent that the wings on the outer section of the nozzle have several functions depending'upon the character and condition of the boll from which the cotton is to be stripped. These wings may serve as abutments which will prevent the boll from rotating and permit the cotton fiber to be stFipped therefrom, or they may serve as partial abutments which permit the boll to rotate to a certain extent and be forced outward away from the nozzle by the wings, or, if the boll rotates with the cotton fiber, then these the inner nozzle through the space between me the outer Section and the inner section and through the openings made in the wall of ing region is less than the force of the ,the opening an internal gear 33 .26 and the outer Section picking nozzle. In

inrushing-air or suction efiect in the shank of the inner nozzle, and I am thereby able to proportion the amount of air entering 25 so as to avoid drawing in the twigs and bolls and still maintain, sufficient inrushing air or suction to carry the cotton fiber from the inner nozzle to the storage receptacle.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings, I have shown a slightly modified form of the invention, as, in this figure, the inner section of the nozzle is held from rotation whilethe outer section rotates relative thereto. .Referring to this figure, my improved picking nozzle consists of a supporting shank 26, to which the flexible suction pipe is. attached, and the inner section 4: of the nozzle has a threaded engagement 28 with this shank 26, so that this inner section is held from rotation. Said inner section is bell-shaped and is providedwith holding fingers or teeth 14, such as described above. The outer member 5, having the wings 22, is similar in construction to the outer section abovedescribed, and this outer section is carried by the rods 19, which are adjustably attached by slots and screws 20 and 21 to a rotating part 29. This rotating" part has a bearing at 30 on the shank 26 and also a bearing at 31 on a disk 32, carried by the shank 26. Said rotating part 29 has which meshes with. a gear 34 on the shank 15, which rotates in the bearing 16 formed in the disk 32. -As the shaft 15 rotates, the outer part 29 will be rotated relative to the supporting shank 5 will thereby be rotated relative to the inner section of the the operation of this device the outer part rotates. The cotton fiber is engaged by the teeth or fingers Y14: and the outer part rotating willrotate the boll, the wings 22 serving as abutments to cause the boll to rotate and this will twist the boll so as to strip the cotton fiber therefrom. The rotation of this outer section not only strips the boll from the cotton fiber, but the movement of the wings 22 will throw the parts of the boll outward away from the nozzle.

In Fig. 5 of the drawings, I have shown a still further modified form of the invention, in that both the innerand outer sections of the nozzle are rotated, but are rotated in opposite directions. of the invention, the picker consists of a I supporting shank 35, which is connected to This greatly facili-' ,tates the clean picking.

In; this form the usual flexible suction pipe, and -this shank 35 carries a supporting frame 36,

which is threaded thereon. The inner? sec- 1 tion 4 of the nozzle is threaded on to a'sleeve 37. This sleeve. is in alinement with the supporting shank 35 and has a bearing connection 38 on the supporting frame 36. The outersection 5 of the nozzle, carrying the wings 22, issupported by the'rods 19,

which are adjustably attached by slots 20 and'screws 21 to a rotating outer sleeve 39. This outer sleeve 39 has a bearing connection 40 with the inner sleeve 37. This sleeve 39 also has a bearing connection with the I supporting frame 36. These bearings are soarranged that the sleeves 37 and 39, are ield rotatably on the shank 35 and frame 36, and one sleeve can rotate in one direction while the other sleeve rotates in the opposite direction. The'shaft 15 is mounted in. a bearing 16 carriedbytheframe 36. This shaft has a gear 41,which meshes with a gear 42 on the sleeve 37. Said shaft also'has a second'gear 13 which meshes with aninternal gear 14: on the sleeve 39. As the shaft 15 is rotated, the sleeve 37 will be rotated in one direction,.while thesleeve '39 is rotated in the opposite direction. The operation of this nozzle will be obvious from the above description. The cotton fiber is engaged by the inner section 4, while the boll comes in contact with the outer section 5. The rotation of these parts in oppositedirections will twistthe cotton fiber held by the fin-- gers or teeth on the inner section from the boll held by the wings 22 on the outer section. I

When he'outer section 5 is rotated it is always rotated in the direction of the arrow, indicated in Figs. 2 and 3 and the inner section when rotated is always rotated in the opposite direction, as indicated in Fig.

2 of the drawings.

It is obvious that minor changes in the details of construction and arrangement 0 parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, asset forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A pneumatic'cotton picking nozzle including in combination an inner sectionhaving means for engaging and holding the cotton fiber from outward movement relative thereto, an outer section having outwardly projecting spaced members fixed thereto for engaging the. boll, and means for giving said inner and outer sections a relative rotation, said' members being. inclined to a plane substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle and operating'to carry the bolls outwardly away from the nozzle.

2. A pneumatic cotton picking nozzle ineluding in combination an inner section having means for engaging and holding the cotton fiber from outward movement relative thereto, an outer section having out-" wardly projecting spacedvmembers' fixed thereto for engaging the b011,. and means for rotating said inner section relativeto said outer'section, sald membersdoemg mclined to a plane substantially at right angles to the [longitudinal axis of the nozzle and operating to carry the bolls outwardly away from the nozzle.

3. A pneumatic cotton picking nozzle including in combination an inner section having means for engaging andholding the cotton fiber from outward movement relativethereto, an outer. section having outwardly projecting spaced members fixed thereto for engaging the boll, said outer section being spaced from said inner section and substantially in alinement therewith so that air may enter the nozzle between said sections, and means for giving said inner and outer sections a relative rotation, said members being inclined to a plane substantially at right-angles to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle and operating to carry the'bolls outwardly away from the nozzle.

LA pneumatic cotton picking nozzle including in combination an inner section having a bell-shaped mouth, means formed on the inner surface of said mouth for holding the cotton fiber from outward movement relative thereto, an outer section extending beyond said inner section and having an opening therethrough in line with the opening through the inner section, said.---

outer section having outwardly projecting members on the outer face thereof, said members being inclined to a plane substantially at right angles to the longitudinal 'axis'of the nozzle and operating to carry the bolls outwardly away from the nozzle, and means for giving said inner and outer sections a relative rotation. I

5. A pneumatic cot-ton picking nozzle including incombination an inner section having a bell-shaped mouth, meansformed on the inner surface of said mouth for holding the cotton fiber from outward movement relative thereto, an outer section extending beyond said inner section and having an opening therethrough in line with the opening through the inner sect-ion, said outersection having outwardly projecting members on the outer face thereof, said members being inclined, to a right angles to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle and operating to carry the bolls outwardly away from the nozzle, and means for rotating said inner'section relative to said outer section. I

6. A pneumatic cotton picking nozzle 1ncludlng 1n combination an inner section havplane substantially at ing a bell-shaped mouth, means formed on the inner surface of said mouth for holding the cotton fiber from out-Ward movement relative thereto, an outer section extending beyond said inner section and having an openingtherethrough in line with the opening through the inner section, said outer section having outwardly projecting members on the outer' face thereof, said members being inclined to a plane substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle and operating to carry the bolls outwardly away from the nozzle, means for holding said outer section from rotation, and means for vrotatingfsaid inner section.

7. A pneumatic cotton picking nozzle including in combination an inner section having a bell-shaped mouth, means formed on the inner surface. of said mouth for holding the cotton fiber from outward movement relative thereto, an outer section extending beyond said inner section and having an opening therethrough in line with the opening through the inner section, said outer section having outwardly projecting members on the outer face thereof, said members being inclined to a plane substantially atright angles to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle and operating to carry the bolls outwardly away from the nozzle, said outer section being spaced from the inner section to permit air toenter the nozzle between said sections, and means for giving said inner and outer sections a relative rotation.

8. A pneumatic cotton picking nozzle including in combination an inner section, an outer section, said inner section having a bell-shaped month, said outer section being located beyond the said bell-shaped mouth and having an opening therethrough in line with the opening in saidbell-shaped mouth, the outer face of said outer section adjacent said opening therethrough being convex and having outwardly projecting wings formed thereon, and means for giving said inner and outer sections a relative rotation.

9. A pneumatic cotton picking nozzle including in combination an inner section, an outer section, said inner section having a bell-shaped month, said outer section being located beyond the said bell-shaped mouth and having an opening therethrough in line with the opening in said bell-shaped mouth, the outer face of said outer section adjacent said opening therethrough being convex and having outwardly projecting wings formed thereon, and means for giving said inner and outer sections a relative rotation, said wings being inclined in the same direction to the outer surface of said outer member.

10. A pneumatic cotton picking nozzle including in combination an inner section, an outer section, said inner section having a tell-shaped mouth, said outer section being located beyond the said bell-shaped mouth and having an opening therethrough in line. with the opening in said bell-shaped mouth,

the outer face of said outer section adjacent said opening therethrough being convex and having outwardly projecting wings formed thereon, and means for giving said inner and outer sectlons a relativeirotation, said wings being each inclined in the same'direction to the outer surface of said outer member, the outer edges .of said wings being rounded and each wing having an inner part pro ect1ng over the opening through said outer section.

11. Apneumatic cotton picking nozzle 'including 1n comblnation an inner section hav eluding in combination an inner section having a bell-shaped mouth with inwardly projecting fingers thereon for engaging and holding the cotton fiber from outward movement, an outer section located beyond said inner section and spaced therefrom, said outer section being in-the shape of an annulus which is concavo-convex in cross sec tion, the outer surface thereof being convex, said outer section having wings formed on the outer face thereof, each of which is inclined in the same direction relative to the outer section, said wings having their edges rounded and the inner parts thereof'projecting over the opening through'said outer section, means for adjustably'supporting said outer section relative to said nner'section 1 whereby the space between the sections may be varied, and meansfor giving said inner and outer sections a relative-rotation.

' 13. A pneumatic cotton picking nozzle including in'combination, an, inner and, an outer section, said inner. and outersections having a relative rotation, and meansfcar ried by the outer section and extending outwardly therefrom for engaging the bolls and twigs, said means being inclined relative to theplane of rotation of said sections, for

moving the-same outward away -fromthe nozzle thereby reducing the suction e'fiect thereon and lessening the chance of drawing the bolls and twigs into the nozzle.

14. A pneumatic cotton picking'nozzle in cluding in combination, affinner-section and an outer section, said sectlons having a relative rotation, said inner section having means for engaging the cotton fiber, and said v outer section having means extending outengaging the bolls,

wardly therefrom for said means being inclined relative to the plane of rotation of said sectlons, for moving'the same outward away from the nozzle,

thereby reducing the suction efi'ect thereon and lessening the chance of. drawing said bolls and twigs into the nozzle.

In testimony whereof I-herewith afiix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

, Witnesses:

RALPH C.-" SHARRETTS, J. IRVING CLARK.

THEODORE E. STBAUS. 

